Montreal’s acclaimed theater company Des mots d’la dynamite arrives at Long Island Children’s Museumwith “Where I Live,” a production created specifically as a child’s first theatrical experience. The March 4-8 performances in the LICM Theater represent the production’s US Premiere. Morning and afternoon performances will be offered for families, as well as a field trip offering for Pre-K and Kindergarten grade levels.
Des mots d’la dynamite (Words of Dynamite) specializes in theater for very young audiences.
While the intended audiences are small, show themes are anything but. “Where I Live” intertwines songs, nursery rhymes and poetry with big existential questions, such as:
Why are we here?
Who are we?
Where are we going?
Why are you my friend?
In this imaginative production, the characters Téqui (“Who-Are-You”) and Téoù (“Where-Are-You”) invite audience members to examine their place in the world – from their own body to their family, community, and finally to the planet we share.
The characters answer all these brain-teasers like children, by playing, singing and dancing. Props and scenic elements used in this production are easily relatable to children: cardboard and wood blocks form houses, rags become puppets and flashlights are used to highlight items and create shadow games.
Artistic Director Nathalie Derome notes the special rewards in creating programs for the “under five” set. “Children are candid spectators who challenge us to listen actively and respond openly. It is exhilarating to make eye contact with such inquisitive youngsters,” she notes.
In selecting the production for its audience, LICM Theater Manager James Packard, was drawn by the goal the production and the LICM Theater share.
“We both want to create experiences to introduce young children to the excitement of the performing arts,” he notes.
Packard was also drawn by the production’s “simple exploration of self” for young audiences and the blending of visual and literary elements.
“The production is a feast for the eyes and includes a beauty of movement and storytelling that will be very relatable to audience members,” he added.
LICM theater performances receive support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Des mots d’la dynamite’s tour is made possible with the support of Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Conseil des Arts du Canada and Conseil des arts de Montréal.
Performance Schedule & Pricing:
Wednesday, March 4 through Friday, March 6 at 10:15 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday, March 8 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m. (French-speaking performance)
Ages: 18 mos. – 4 years. Fee: $9 with museum admission ($7 LICM members), $12 theater performance only.
Since 1988, Des mots d’la dynamite has been a pioneer in the field of interdisciplinary arts, creating shows for small children and their families. The company has been seen throughout Canada, France, Italy, Cuba and the US and has performed for theaters, museums, artist-run centers, festivals, and other cultural events. Since 2008, they have focused on the relatively unexplored area of the Canadian performing arts: the very young audience (18 months to 5 years old).
